John Kerry on John McCain
TL;DR
John Kerry viewed John McCain as a respected colleague with whom he shared an ultimate friendship forged through mutual respect.
Key Points
They agreed to work together to get answers on the POW/MIA Committee, a joint effort he considered among the most meaningful in his Senate career.
He condemned the personal attacks against McCain's military record during the 2000 South Carolina primary, calling the attacks obscene and inappropriate.
He expressed admiration for McCain's fortitude in prison, noting he was a hero in every sense of the word for upholding his code despite torture.
Summary
John Kerry's position on John McCain was defined by a fundamental, enduring mutual respect, despite initial political tension and differences regarding the Vietnam War. When they first met in the Senate, Kerry acknowledged a "little bit tension and certain questioning each of the other," partially because McCain had campaigned in Massachusetts against him to support the party. However, they bonded deeply over their shared military experience, engaging in an "amazing conversation" while traveling to Kuwait and Baghdad, which led them to agree to work together on issues like POW/MIA accounting.
This shared commitment became one of Kerry's most meaningful relationships in the Senate, particularly concerning efforts to normalize relations with Vietnam. While they often differed passionately on policy, such as Syria, they were able to compartmentalize these disagreements, maintaining a basic respect that formed the center of their relationship. Kerry praised McCain as a patriot who stood for the highest values of basic human behavior and noted that they were united in their dedication to bringing closure to families of missing service members.
Frequently Asked Questions
John Kerry viewed John McCain as a patriot with whom he ultimately shared a deep, mutually respectful friendship, according to a 2017 interview. He stated that despite initial political differences, they always maintained a basic respect that formed the core of their relationship. Kerry believed they were united in their service and in moving forward on issues like Vietnam reconciliation.
No, they did not always agree, as John Kerry noted they were on "different paths with respect to the war in Vietnam" and later had policy disagreements, such as over Syria. Kerry stated in 2017 that they learned to compartmentalize these passionate differences on issues in the Senate. They both believed in the importance of differing respectfully and passionately while still liking each other.
John Kerry stated that John McCain suffered hugely in prison and was a hero in every sense of the word for living up to the highest code possible. Kerry forcefully condemned the attacks on McCain’s military record during the 2000 presidential primary, calling them obscene and inappropriate for American politics.